198 The Himting IV asps 



of a mile and a quarter, increase its base in 

 proportion, cover the white of the Umestone 

 with the black patch of the forests, and you 

 have a clear idea of the general aspect of the 

 mountain. This accumulation of rubbish — 

 sometimes small chips, sometimes huge blocks 

 — ^rises from the plain without preliminary 

 slopes or successive terraces that would render 

 the ascent less arduous by dividing it into 

 stages. The climb begins at once by rocky 

 paths, the best of which is worse than the 

 surface of a road newly strewn with stones, 

 and continues, becoming ever rougher and 

 rougher, right to the summit, the height of 

 which is 6270 feet. Greenswards, babbling 

 brooks, the spacious shade of venerable trees, 

 all the things, in short, that lend such charm 

 to other mountains, are here unknown and are 

 replaced by an interminable bed of limestone 

 broken into scales, which slip under our feet 

 with a sharp, almost metallic ' click.' By way 

 of cascades the Ventoux has rills of stones ; the 

 rattle of falling rocks takes the place of the 

 whispering waters. 



We are at Bedoin, at the foot of the mountain. 

 The arrangements with the guide have been 

 made, the hour of the start fixed ; the pro- 

 visions are being talked over and got ready. 

 Let us try to rest, for we shall have to spend a 



